NZ: Kiwifruit firm Zespri eyes 30% of Saudi market

Zespri has secured its first export contract to Saudi Arabia in five years

New Zealand kiwifruit firm Zespri has secured its first Saudi Arabia export contract in five years.

Zespri will be introducing its SunGold product into Saudi Arabia in June and said it hopes to achieve "20%-30% of the market share" of the country by 2019.

"We're partnering with established distributors to develop marketing programmes to raise consumer awareness of our brand and the sweet/sour balance in the taste profile should be well suited to consumers in this region, meaning that achieving 20-30% of the market share in the Kingdom of Saudi in the next five years is a realistic target," Ben Hughes, Zespri market manager for the Middle East, India and Africa told just-food today (10 April).

He added the firm hoped the contract would prove positive in growing Zespri's presence across the Middle East.

"We see the Middle East as a fantastic opportunity for Zespri, with increasing awareness of the need to live a healthier lifestyle and appreciation for fresh fruit."